The New York Islanders announced today that starting goalie Rick DiPietro underwent a surgical procedure on his injured right hip. The operation was deemed successful but it will keep DiPietro sidelined for the rest of the 2007-08 season. The injury occurred during the All-Star skills competition. DiPietro was miked up and he could be heard complaining that he had tweaked his hip.

"Rick wanted badly to be with his team until the end of the season, but this decision was made with his best long-term interests in mind,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said in a statement released by the team. “Rick took his game to even greater heights this season, deservedly being named an NHL All-Star for the first time in his career. He gave everything he had to the Islanders and our fans this season and was a warrior all the way through. By having the surgery immediately, Rick will have plenty of time to be at 100 percent long before the start of Islanders training camp in September.”

This past off-season, the Islanders' lone All-Star had successful surgery on his left hip. He started the season on time and without difficulty. In fact, he came to camp as one of the two best-conditioned athletes on the team. DiPietro played in 63 of the Islanders first 73 games. Three of those games were missed due to a slight knee sprain and three more due to the recent passing of his grandmother. Next year, the Islanders may have to cut down on the number of games their franchise goalie plays. DiPietro just finished the second year of a 15-year contract with the Islanders.

Wade Dubielewicz will get the bulk of the work for the remainder of the regular season. The Islanders called up Joey MacDonald from Bridgeport of the AHL to serve as the backup.